Aim:: Accumulation level of fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin can be measured non-invasively as skin autofluorescence (skin AF) by autofluorescence reader. The aim of this study was to assess possible associations between skin AF and diabetic complications, especially early-stage atherosclerosis, in Japanese type 1 diabetic patients.

Figure 2: Association between skin AF and (A) single-point HbA1c, (B) average of past HbA1c values. Statistical analysis for association was performed using Pearson's univariate test.

Mentions:
Next, to assess what factors affected skin AF values in the type 1 diabetic subjects, we analyzed associations between skin AF value and clinical parameters. Univariate regression analysis showed that skin AF was significantly associated with age, gender, smoking status, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, GA, aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), UA, serum Creatinine, and eGFR in the type 1 diabetic subjects (Table 2, Supplementary Fig. 1A). A stepwise multivariate regression analysis including variables that were significantly associated with skin AF in univariate analysis as independent variables demonstrated that age and smoking status were independent determinants of skin AF, while HbA1c and GA were not (Table 2). Interestingly, there was also a statistically significant association between skin AF and the average HbA1c value for a long term (utmost past 10 years) in 67 subjects whose past HbA1c levels were available (Supplementary Fig. 1B). Using this average HbA1c value as an index of glycemic control, instead of the single-point HbA1c value measured at the time of enrollment, showed the average HbA1c to be an independent determinant of skin AF (β = 0.350, p = 0.002), even after adjustment for the other variables.

Figure 2: Association between skin AF and (A) single-point HbA1c, (B) average of past HbA1c values. Statistical analysis for association was performed using Pearson's univariate test.

Mentions:
Next, to assess what factors affected skin AF values in the type 1 diabetic subjects, we analyzed associations between skin AF value and clinical parameters. Univariate regression analysis showed that skin AF was significantly associated with age, gender, smoking status, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, GA, aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), UA, serum Creatinine, and eGFR in the type 1 diabetic subjects (Table 2, Supplementary Fig. 1A). A stepwise multivariate regression analysis including variables that were significantly associated with skin AF in univariate analysis as independent variables demonstrated that age and smoking status were independent determinants of skin AF, while HbA1c and GA were not (Table 2). Interestingly, there was also a statistically significant association between skin AF and the average HbA1c value for a long term (utmost past 10 years) in 67 subjects whose past HbA1c levels were available (Supplementary Fig. 1B). Using this average HbA1c value as an index of glycemic control, instead of the single-point HbA1c value measured at the time of enrollment, showed the average HbA1c to be an independent determinant of skin AF (β = 0.350, p = 0.002), even after adjustment for the other variables.

Aim:: Accumulation level of fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin can be measured non-invasively as skin autofluorescence (skin AF) by autofluorescence reader. The aim of this study was to assess possible associations between skin AF and diabetic complications, especially early-stage atherosclerosis, in Japanese type 1 diabetic patients.